A 55-year-old man from Yarsa VDC-9 of Rasuwa district was murdered in cold blood over witchcraft allegation.

The murder of Tulu Sarki Thing which took place on April 16 was kept a secret by his killers and the villagers until a few days ago. Police said Tulu was beaten, burned and finally buried alive.

Three suspects—Kanchha Shrepa Thing, Lwangbuti Tamang and Chhenurbu Tamang— have been held in connection to the incident. The trio was presented before the media on Saturday.

Tulu had been driven out of the village on charge of using “black magic” to kill seven villagers in the past as well. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abadesh Bista said the villagers had smeared Tulu’s face with soot, made him wear a shoe garland and paraded him around the village before kicking him out.

Tulu, who had been working in Kerung, Rasuwa, following his expulsion from the village, was coaxed into returning home by Kanchha, one of the suspects. The body has been sent to Kathmandu for autopsy, DSP Bista said.